Western Cape officials challenging EE plan

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Cape Town - Western Cape officials are taking on the national correctional services department over its employment equity policy, according to a report on Thursday.

The officials would approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on Thursday to challenge the use of national and not provincial demographics in the equity plan, the Cape Times newspaper reported.

The officials, who are coloured, claim that they are victims of racial discrimination and have been denied promotions.

The department announced in June that the Western Cape would have an equity target of 79.3% of black employees, 9.3% whites, 8.8% coloureds and 2.5% Indian.

The province's population is about 54% coloured, 26% black, 19% white and 1% Indian.

Labour lawyer Michael Bagraim, who represents the officials, told the newspaper about 400 people were affected.

"We'll use this case as a litmus test," he said. "I think they have an excellent chance of winning."

However, acting national department spokesperson Phumlani Ximiya said it was confident the equity plan was water-tight.

"It [the plan] is not only applicable in the Western Cape. There are also regions such as Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal. The department is doing the right thing," he said.

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